So tired of cold calling

I do get totally incensed by them, especially being severely disabled. By the time I get to the phone I am exhausted. So when the caller tries to engage in conversation, I am cross. And when they then lie by telling me they are not trying to sell me anything (which they always are), I get really angry.

We need an organisation with teeth which will fine these companies substantial amounts for cold calling, whether from inside or outside the country, and not depending on whether it classed as sales, marketing or getting someone to make a claim for any kind of compensation.

• I WAS pleased to read Sue Nelson’s column on cold calling because I am sick of such calls.

Every day I get at least three calls from “withheld”, “unavailable”, or “international” callers. There are also calls from “0845” numbers and numbers I have never seen before. Recently I’ve started having calls from numbers beginning “+7” which, when I checked a list of international dialling codes turns out to be Kazakhstan.

Most of the times I let the answering machine pick up any messages. Sometimes there is a message asking me to phone a particular number, but the caller doesn’t say which company he/she is representing.

Other times there is a long beeping sound followed by my answering machine politely thanking the anonymous caller.

If I do pick up the phone, and there is a real person at the other end, I ask how they have got my phone number and then ask them never to phone me again.

This can result in a number of replies from “sorry to bother you” to something which I couldn’t possibly put in print.

I’ve tried the Telephone Preference Service, but it’s a waste of time as some of these companies have several lines from which to pester you.

I would like to finish by saying… oh, hang on… Kazakhstan’s calling me!

Comments

anistasia
4:03pm Fri 7 Feb 14

I agree and most of my calls are blocked on my phone but for some unknown reason foreign companies still get through this is annoying I need my phone on because of health reasons.think it could be a phone call about my father just come out of hospital with heart problems.you get these people pestering you.the law should be changed no cold calling even from abroad.if we what a service we'll phone them.

I agree and most of my calls are blocked on my phone but for some unknown reason foreign companies still get through this is annoying I need my phone on because of health reasons.think it could be a phone call about my father just come out of hospital with heart problems.you get these people pestering you.the law should be changed no cold calling even from abroad.if we what a service we'll phone them.anistasia

I agree and most of my calls are blocked on my phone but for some unknown reason foreign companies still get through this is annoying I need my phone on because of health reasons.think it could be a phone call about my father just come out of hospital with heart problems.you get these people pestering you.the law should be changed no cold calling even from abroad.if we what a service we'll phone them.

Score: 6

Ninja9
4:49pm Fri 7 Feb 14

I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going!

I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going!Ninja9

I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going!

Score: -2

the otter
5:26pm Fri 7 Feb 14

put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .

put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .the otter

put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .

Score: 2

PKH
9:34pm Fri 7 Feb 14

Ninja9 wrote…

I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going!

She probably changed her number because she was fed up with the calls, and unfortunately for you, you have been allocated her previous number.

[quote][p][bold]Ninja9[/bold] wrote:
I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going![/p][/quote]She probably changed her number because she was fed up with the calls, and unfortunately for you, you have been allocated her previous number.PKH

Ninja9 wrote…

I get loads of calls from various companies who ask for Mrs Elsie ******. I presume that she had my number before I did. She has never lived at this house.
They either don't believe me when I say I am not Mrs ****** or else they hang up on me very crossly. One helpful company that dealt in aids for the disabled told me her address when I explained the mix-up - she lives/lived about a mile away. TPS can't help as the annoying calls are not registered in my name - I'm not allowed to add her name to my registration.
The silly woman has obviously put this number on every database going!

She probably changed her number because she was fed up with the calls, and unfortunately for you, you have been allocated her previous number.

Score: 4

cas540
10:29pm Fri 7 Feb 14

the otter wrote…

put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .

It does not stop at phone calls. I am sick of all the junk mail too.
My answer to that one is collect it all up and put it back in the postbox see how THEY like getting junk mail as most of it comes through our doors via the Post Persons.

[quote][p][bold]the otter[/bold] wrote:
put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .[/p][/quote]It does not stop at phone calls. I am sick of all the junk mail too.
My answer to that one is collect it all up and put it back in the postbox see how THEY like getting junk mail as most of it comes through our doors via the Post Persons.cas540

the otter wrote…

put the phone in front of the tv they soon get sick and hang up .

It does not stop at phone calls. I am sick of all the junk mail too.
My answer to that one is collect it all up and put it back in the postbox see how THEY like getting junk mail as most of it comes through our doors via the Post Persons.

Score: -2

wildthing666
1:30am Sat 8 Feb 14

I just leave the phone disconnected if they call they are met with a ring tone until cancelled without interupting my usual activity.

I just leave the phone disconnected if they call they are met with a ring tone until cancelled without interupting my usual activity.wildthing666

I just leave the phone disconnected if they call they are met with a ring tone until cancelled without interupting my usual activity.

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